Body-cam footage of the fatal encounter involving Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department (TPPD) officers and Brian Czornyj has been released by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The incident, which occurred on June 5, led to Czornyj's death after police responded to a 911 assault call. The video made public comes in adherence to James' commitment to transparency in officer-involved deaths, aiming to bolster public trust.
The released footage captures the moment officers arrived at a Poughkeepsie residence, finding two men with a single sword – Mr. Czornyj and an older, injured man. Despite multiple police commands to drop the weapon, the men held onto the sword, which led to an officer shooting Mr. Czornyj. Transported to a local hospital, he was later pronounced dead, while the older man was treated for his injuries.
According to the Attorney General's Office, this release is part of an ongoing investigation by the Office of Special Investigation (OSI) into the incident. The OSI, tasked with reviewing incidents where law enforcement actions may result in death, operates under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b. This law mandates review and full investigation if preliminary assessment indicates that an officer's act or omission could have caused a fatality, irrespective of the victim's custodial status or armament.
The TPPD officers recovered the Samurai sword at the scene. The Attorney General stated that releasing the footage is not a judgment on the officers’ actions or an indication of future charges but a measure to provide information to the public.
